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"Getting back to school, I remember a teacher that I had. Now I only went, I went through the seventh grade. I left home when I was 10 years old because I was hungry. (laughter) And .. this is true. I worked in the summer and went to school in the winter. But, I had this one teacher, he was the principal of the Harrison School in Vincennes, Indiana. To me, this was the greatest teacher, a real sage of..of my time, anyhow.

He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance one day, and he walked over. This little old teacher ... Mr. Lasswell was his name. He said:

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of
Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming
monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain
to you the meaning of each word?

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I Me; an individual; a committee of one

Pledge Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give
without self pity.

Allegiance My love and my devotion

To the Flag Our standard; Old Glory; a symbol of
of the Freedom; wherever she waves there is
respect, because your loyalty has given
her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is
everybody's job.

United That's means that we all come together.

States Individual communities that have united
of America into forty-eight great states. Forty-
eight individual communities with
pride and dignity and purpose. All
divided with imaginary boundaries, yet
united to a common purpose, and that is
love for country.

And to the Republic--a state in which sovereign
Republic power is invested in representatives
chosen by the people to govern. And
government is the people; and it's from
the people of the leaders, not the leaders
to the people.

For which it
stands

One Nation One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God

Indivisible Incapable of being divided

With Liberty Which is Freedom; the right of power to
live one's own live, without threats, fear,
or qualities, of dealing fairly with others

And Justice The principle, or qualities, of dealing
fairly with others.

For All For all--which means, boys and girls, it's
as much your country as it is mine.

"And now boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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"Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools too?"

Red Skelton